Borgund Stave Church

It was a short hour drive from our cottage and the views on the way there were also immaculate. We had as blast driving through the snow to get there. We were not able to get tickets to go inside since it was winter and they are only open during warm months but the views from outside were amazing. To be built in 1180 and still be standing tall like it is just shows how much care was put into buildings back then. No windows, very neat.

The Borgund Stave Church is one of the best-preserved and most iconic stave churches in the country. Built around 1180 AD, it exemplifies the unique medieval wooden architecture of Norway, characterized by a post-and-lintel construction with vertical wooden staves forming the structural framework. Its steeply pitched roofs, tiered gables, and elaborate wooden carvings, including dragon-head finials, reflect both Christian symbolism and Viking artistic influences, making it a striking example of the fusion of old Norse and medieval Christian traditions. Not to be missed on your roadtrip. Lovely cafe and visitor centre. Easy parking. Stunning architecture. An important study site for historians and architects interested in timber construction and Norse artistry.

Nice compliment to the hiking trails in the immediate area. The visitors center is very nice and has a café selling sandwiches, cakes, and drinks. Picnic tables outside are free to bring your own food.

We got there after hours but were still able to take photos from the front walkway. To get to the sides and back at a decent angle would require being there during open hours and purchasing a ticket.

The church is stunning but it has been made too touristy. Crowds of people. All walled and fenced off so you have to buy a ticket to get up close. We visited Heddal church a week ago, it had a nicer feel to it and the surroundings.

Must see if you are in Aurland region. Well preserved architecture is worth every photo taking opportunity. Onsite guides were attentive and knowledgeable.

An extraordinary example of medieval architecture. Beautifully preserved, its intricate wooden design and unique structure offer a fascinating glimpse into Norway’s cultural and religious heritage. A must-visit for history and architecture enthusiasts.

A fantastic example of a Norwegian Stave church. Nice little visitor centre and museum/information centre. Guides are really friendly and informative. Good picnic area too.

Borgund stavechurch is without a doubt one of the most beautiful stavechurches in Norway. It should definitely be on your list og destinations. I've never been on the guided tour here, but just walking around enjoying the architecture and the mountainview around it is lovely. There's fields with sheep and lambs around and you get a proper view of the Norwegian cultural landscape as well. The giftshop also has a lot of interesting gifts and souvenirs!

Really cool church well worth the rather long drive out to it. Don't be fooled by the name "Borgund Stave Church," it is actually quite a ways outside of Borgund! Not having a GPS, I kept driving and driving and thought I had missed it, but it's out there! Just keep going until you see it right off the road. Parallel to the main road is a scenic route that is AMAZING! So much better than the main road. There are plenty of exits for the scenic route from the main route, so plan for another hour or two to allow yourself time to take the scenic route. It runs by rivers, deep gorges, and dark tunnels. The church itself is neat, but they charge you to enter the grounds! I believe admission includes entrance to the museum inside the visitor's center as well.

This Stave Church is more commercialized than rest of ones I visited... No less, it is gorgeous site. Lots of tourists (I even saw a car with Ukrainian plates!), visitors center - but also nicely kept grounds, and church itself is beautifully restored. Borgund Stave Church, or stavkirke, or stavkyrkjie, built between 1180 and 1250. Built on stone foundation, innovation of it's time, that helped wooden structure to survive longer to elements. Several hidden rune inscriptions can be seen on the walls, one of them reads "Ave Maria" - and while were is no way to know who carved them and when, our imagination can fill the void. Stepping back to outside, look at all wonderful detailing - carved staves, crests, and wooden dragon heads on the gables of the roof - all remains from old times passed by...

Loved exploring this place. The church was absolutely beautiful and very unique from any church I've seen before. Our tour guide was very insightful and friendly. Learned a lot on our tour. Highly recommend visiting this iconic site.

Cool little place. If you have been to the viking museum filled with old viking ships, you should come here after. Especially to see the stave church. Someone told me that these were built by the same crafters who built viking ships after the viking raid era and when they were being converted to christianity. I guess thats why you see the same great beautiful woodwork and similar carvings like the dragon heads. Its smaller than I expected but none the less, beautiful. They also out front where you park and will first enter have a building with an open concept with a small cafe (smoke salmon sandwiches, soup, hot chocolate/coffee, etc. typical museum cafe food in norway), gift shop, bathroom (cost 10), and some self tour thing but I didnt get to do that. Overall, this place dosent take long to see and its not that big or impressive, but its beautiful and a must see. Stave churches are famous in Norway but this is the most famous apparently.